The story centers on Trojan prince Paris’s affair with Helen, who is married to Spartan king Menelaus. He convinces her to leave with him for Troy, which gives King Agamemnon a reason to start a war against the city. This sets up a conflict between Achilles of Sparta and Hector of Troy, two legendary warriors. "Troy," costing $175 million to produce and directed by Wolfgang Petersen as an epic swordplay film based on Homer's "Illiad," didn’t quite reach its potential. It is visually impressive, especially in the extended director's cut, which makes it a decent addition to its genre. The issues are noticeable from the start. Casting Brad Pitt as Achilles seemed solely based on his appearance; a sculpted physique and intense close-ups don’t automatically make a warrior. While Pitt is undoubtedly a good actor, this role felt like a stretch for him. Diane Kruger's portrayal of Helen lacks depth, which was fortunate given her limited acting experience at the time. Even Orlando Bloom as Paris doesn’t quite manage to stand out amidst stronger performances. A significant problem lies in the uneven storytelling; Petersen seems unsure how to compress the Trojan War into a reasonable length while also giving equal weight to the two main warriors. The fact that Eric Bana delivers an outstanding performance as Hector shines through despite the narrative chaos is a credit to his talent alone. However, there are definitely positive aspects. Brian Cox’s portrayal of Agamemnon is well-developed, providing a reason for the war beyond just a man stealing another's wife. His ambition and desire for bloodshed elevate "Troy" from what could have been a fairly shallow story. Peter O'Toole, Brendan Gleeson, and Sean Bean all do solid work with their limited screen time, and the film’s production values are remarkably high. The battle sequences are impactful and energetic. The confrontation between Hector and Achilles is expertly choreographed (accompanied by music reminiscent of Danny Elfman’s score for "Planet of the Apes"), and the large-scale battle outside Troy's walls ranks among the best in its category. CGI is often criticized, but here it’s used effectively to create exciting visuals, such as the fleet approaching Troy. "Troy" has flaws, that much is clear. Yet, after watching it, you feel entertained, transported to a time of heroes. With worldwide profits exceeding £320 million, director Petersen can likely relax knowing he accomplished what he set out to do. 7/10

Source on TMDB